as in convinces
to cause (someone) to think or believe something by using methods that make a person unable to think normally
Terrorists brainwashed the prisoners. Does advertising brainwash children?
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Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for brainwashes
Verb
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Javier Bardem plays Ruben, the boss of an underdog racing team who convinces Sonny to return to the sport to partner with and mentor rookie driver Joshua Pearce (Damson Idris).—
Jazz Tangcay,
Variety,
1 Mar. 2026 -
Concerned about corporate image and dwindling morale, the store manager convinces a group of employees to stay overnight to investigate these occurrences.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
25 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Carlo’s friend Rodrigo persuades him to take up the Flemish cause with Philip, leading to a sword-threatening confrontation.—
Scott Cantrell,
Dallas Morning News,
28 Feb. 2026
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This leads us to another revelation of decoherence theory, the one that persuades me that Zurek’s theory now tells a complete story.—
Quanta Magazine,
Quanta Magazine,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
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But the letter is yet another representation of the growing consensus on the left against consolidation that brings major news organizations under one roof, particularly when that house is owned by Ellison.—
Max Tani,
semafor.com,
6 Mar. 2026
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Naomi Fry says that this iteration brings with it a fresh sense of authenticity and vulnerability.—
Caroline Mimbs Nyce,
New Yorker,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The logic of what attracts the news media’s interest can be quite grim.—
Robert Moor,
New Yorker,
2 Mar. 2026
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Females produce a pheromone which attracts clusters of males for mating.—
Arricca Elin SanSone,
Southern Living,
1 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Unrivaled — a 3-on-3, full-court game played on a 72-foot floor, shorter than an NBA or college court — sells itself on being fast-paced, with an 18-second shot clock, 7-minute quarters and plenty of open space for players to create.—
Tim Reynolds,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Mar. 2026
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If New Jersey, which looks out of the race, sells elsewhere, depth forward Cody Glass may have boosted his value by scoring his 14th goal of the season.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
4 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Loot boxes in the crosshairs James alleges Valve entices players to pay for a chance to win a rare virtual item, and that those rare items can be traded for real money in accordance with their rarity.—
Jesse Zanger,
CBS News,
25 Feb. 2026
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Your starter entices with a spicy-tangy flavor, leading into the classic roasted chicken entree.—
Alana Al-Hatlani,
Southern Living,
31 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Crews have been deployed to spray disinfectant on vehicles entering the exclusion zone to avoid any possible transfer of the highly-contagious viral disease that induces fever and blister-like sores in the mouth, drastically reduces milk production and leaves animals weakened.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
25 Feb. 2026
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In theory, the charge of a thunderstorm above induces an opposite charge in the ground below.—
Laura Baisas,
Popular Science,
25 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Its design showcased the Mediterranean and Colonial Revival influences common in Reynolds’ work and in Florida school architecture of the 1920s, which emphasized regional forms adapted to climate as well as community use.—
Sarah M. Boye,
The Orlando Sentinel,
1 Mar. 2026
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This sensibility influences their coverage of thornier topics, such as tech governance and regulation.—
Diego Lasarte,
New Yorker,
25 Feb. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Brainwashes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/brainwashes. Accessed 7 Mar. 2026.
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